Do you have symptoms from repeat low level concussions that need treatment?

RallyPoint News — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:17:52 -0400

The VA Traumatic Brain Injury Health Registry has over 440,000 veterans diagnosed with a TBI between 2001 and 2021.

But how many of us have symptoms but no diagnosis (yet)?

TBIs caused by an explosion that lead to visible head trauma or loss of consciousness are easy to recognize. But what about firing countless rounds of heavy machine guns, multiple near-miss IED detonations, regular combatives training, static line jumps that end with a not-so-smooth PLF, etc.?

We want to know if you’ve had these or similar experiences and now have unexplained symptoms such as headaches, vision issues, sleep issues, balance problems, etc.

In addition to sharing your thoughts below, here are some veteran-focused resources if you are looking for help now:

- Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative: https://rly.pt/ShepherdCenter
- Marcus Institute for Brain health: https://rly.pt/MarcusInstitute
- Home Base Brain Health for Special Operators: https://rly.pt/HomeBase

Of course, always talk to your primary care physician (PCPs) about any symptoms that concern you. If your PCP is not at the VA, consider getting VA care as VA docs see a lot more brain trauma patients than most of their civilian counterparts: https://rly.pt/VAapply.

SHARE Military Initiative

Care for U.S. service members and first responders with brain injury and related physical and psychological health concerns.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2025 10:57 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 10:57:13 -0400

Getting on the registry is a good idea, if you have any of these symptoms!

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jun 19 at 2025 11:56 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:56:29 -0400

I feel like I need to wear a hat that says TBI survivor because I “Look” normal at this point. My care team is well aware and I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jun 19 at 2025 3:37 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:37:39 -0400

Hello. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this on Rally Point. :->

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jun 19 at 2025 4:41 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:41:28 -0400

"Repeat low level concussions"
Isn't that the job description for tank crewmen, artillerymen, and mortar crews in the Army and Marine Corps.? Gunner's Mates in the Navy and Coast Guard? Everyone aboard an aircraft carrier? And a dozen other MOS across all branches of the service?

Response by Cpl Ronald Mangrum made Jun 20 at 2025 3:10 PM

Cpl Ronald Mangrum — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:10:48 -0400

No TBI but, I filed for four other claims that were verified by the VA! And was denied on all four!

Response by SrA Cecelia Eareckson made Jun 21 at 2025 2:12 AM

SrA Cecelia Eareckson — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 02:12:08 -0400

Sigh. My MST included closed head trauma, also got in a brawl in the barracks. No referral ever, and the first is part of my VA record. Gosh, I am getting tired of having to point out how differently the VA treats women.

Response by PO3 Edward Riddle made Jun 22 at 2025 11:21 PM

PO3 Edward Riddle — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:21:48 -0400

Love that .50 Cal.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2025 1:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:49:42 -0400

Even if you can get them to acknowledge a TBI it might not do any good. On VA.gov my list of recognized conditions shows TBI as non service connected. a Line of Duty investigation was done and the incident was determined to be LoD. I should have been medically retired in 1993, not discharged at 20%.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jun 23 at 2025 9:12 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 21:12:42 -0400

I most certainly have this problem. But I'm being seen for it.

Response by Cristina Johnson made Jun 24 at 2025 3:41 AM

Cristina Johnson — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 03:41:11 -0400

Thank you for sharing this. It’s great to have these resources and to raise awareness about something many veterans might be dealing with but don’t always talk about.

Response by CPL Jahala Hawkins made Jun 25 at 2025 9:07 PM

CPL Jahala Hawkins — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 21:07:41 -0400

I went to the VA TBI Clinic in Nashville and because I didn't blackout long enough they told me that I had wasted my time and that they wouldn't even do the appointment or scan. I have brought it up to my primary care team every other year or so, but no one seems to care.

I'm sure there's a disconnect, but I can only chase so many leads at a time.

Response by SGT Carl Blas made Oct 8 at 2025 5:04 PM

SGT Carl Blas — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:04:01 -0400

Thank you for the infromation.

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Oct 16 at 2025 3:20 PM

PFC Lisa McDonald — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:20:09 -0400

Recoiless rifles are beast that will shake you up while firing. Firing one from a bunker is even worse. When I was in we had the 90mm. I was weapons squad and exposed to all kinds of concussive forces in what is considered peacetime service.
I remember reading an article about people firing the Carl Gustav setting off their blast gauges. Shortly thereafter they pulled the plug on soldiers wearing them.
Our urban training area in Berlin was concrete buildings and called Doughboy city. You can imagine how cold it got in winter. But also how much concrete reflected blasts and firing noises. Then going to places like Wildflicken and others to do training. Demolitions courses, standing next to tanks firing, firing the 90mm recoiless and other heavier infantry weapons like the 50. You are going to get exposed to concussive forces and noise levels detrimental to hearing function.
Here is a link to a Stars and Stripes article about concussion risk from the Carl Gustav. I never fired the Gustav but would find it hard to believe the 90mm was less of a bell ringer. I think that is why not a lot of Units had the 90mm when I was in.
https://www.stripes.com/news/2018-05-02/gunners-using-shoulder-borne-heavy-weapons-at-risk-for-brain-damage-1507328.html1

gunners-using-shoulder-borne-heavy-weapons-at-risk-for-brain-damage-1507328.html1

Response by CPL Terry Pennington made Oct 20 at 2025 1:40 PM

CPL Terry Pennington — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:40:04 -0400

i have to wear a hat at all times

Response by SSG Jason Trammell made Oct 25 at 2025 3:51 AM

SSG Jason Trammell — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:51:13 -0400

It doesn't matter, I have a TBI (Rated 0%). I have sleep issues, I have brought up my unsteadiness and balance problems, they keep saying its the crystals in my inner ear, smh. Lets not get into when i lay on my back under a vehicle working with my hands, i get really sick and nauseous. They just blame everything on something else.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Oct 25 at 2025 1:18 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:18:26 -0400

Mine are from boxing. Don't suppose that is covered since it was pre-military

Response by 1SG John Millan made Oct 27 at 2025 11:09 AM

1SG John Millan — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:09:57 -0400

People don’t realize constant use of a ma deuce can cause subtle TBI

Response by Cpl Ronald Mangrum made Nov 6 at 2025 9:52 PM

Cpl Ronald Mangrum — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:52:15 -0500

Yes Sir, my primary care physician is with the VA! And I do have everything required with VA to qualify for TBI! Unfortunately it is talking a long time for some claims. And I keep getting denied for most of them! You know how that goes with all the red tape! And one is on appeal and has been for a long time! I have no choice but to hurry up and wait!

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 7 at 2025 7:49 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 07:49:34 -0500

YA, But Mine Was Caused From Banging My Head Against The Walk While Fighting With The VA Trying To Get A Portable Oxygen Machine, Which I'm In Need Of And Medically Qualified For AT The VA - THREE Times And Counting -- H E L L O Anybody Home?- -"Pending"

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 14 at 2025 5:08 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:08:32 -0500

Although We Vets Have A Multitude of Great Benefits,
Be Prepared To Fight To Get Them Because The Odds Are You'll
Be Put In That Position Through Constant Denials.
- As Many Of You Already Know From Your Experiences As Well.-

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made Nov 20 at 2025 8:01 PM

MAJ Hugh Blanchard — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:01:19 -0500

I enlisted in 1972 as a PV1 and retired in 1995 as a MAJ. En route I made it to SGT/E5 in the enlisted and NCO ranks. I now have osteo-arthritis in both shoulders and both feet, a broken right foot that has never healed properly, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and have survived bladder and prostate cancer. After many years of trying, I've finally gotten into the VA medical system. They have just told me that my left shoulder is severely damaged by the arthritis, but aside from shoulder replacement surgery, which scares the hell out of me, I'm not sure they can do anything to fix it. There's a foot and ankle specialist who has offered surgery to fix my broken foot, but he warns me that recovery will require 9-12 weeks in a bent-knee cast. I'm approaching my 76th birthday, and I'm concerned that getting around for 2-3 months in a cast may be very difficult. Any ideas or advice to offer?